1997 Volkswagen Passat imobilizer

at this year its most likely to have a transponder in the key . if it has you will see a plastic ring with wires to it around the ignition lock but you may have to remove the cowling to see this

Hi wiggy no there's none of this, but sometimes there's a car image with a key under it on the dashboard flashing and when this happens the car startsthen dies

does sound like a transponder issue seperate the key from any others that might be on the keyring or any other metallic objects also try another key if you have one ,and when it does not start try taking the key out and putting it back in the other way round ie turning it 180 degrees

Thanks wiggyy I'll try that

had this with my son's golf ( we put a new fob on and the bit that holds the key is separate so we changed over to this new eBay button part, tried it,locked and unlocked perfect ! BUT when went to start car it would run for about 5 seconds and engine would die and the pic on dash of car with a key over it stayed on !! a alarm specialist said make sure the little transponder ( looks like small piece of glass on the golf hadn't fallen out etc. ! anyway he said put key in, turn on ignition and just leave it alone for about 10/15 mins !! Bingo they paired up again and had no further prob ( if yours is a petrol engine it might be an idea to disconnect one of the low tension wires so as to not burn out your ignition coil !!! Golf was a diesel so it didn't matter and lastly make sure your cars main battery has plenty of juice in it !!! Hope this helps and i'm on the right page Regards Tony